PrecisionHawk Inc., a provider of aerial data and safety platforms for drones, has announced that it has expanded its partnership with communications technology firm Harris Corporation to provide the industry with technology tools that will enhance the operational and situational awareness of drone pilots. The two companies are also moving toward the deployment of a UAS airspace management system using technologies like PrecisionHawk’s LATAS platform.
“In a short amount of time, PrecisionHawk and Harris have aligned their vision to deliver information and technology to the market faster,” said Tyler Collins, VP LATAS at PrecisionHawk. “Harris brings years of experience integrating systems that work together to support a holistic air traffic control approach, and we believe their expertise on the manned aviation side is going to help LATAS, in the same way, serve the unmanned community.”
Harris’ real-time surveillance database of manned and unmanned traffic is being built into the LATAS platform to give drone pilots a clear picture of their surroundings, while Harris is also integrating LATAS into their systems to give customers, such as UAS test ranges, airports, and potentially manned pilots’, visibility of drones that may be sharing the airspace.
“Harris has decades of experience providing air traffic management communications and surveillance solutions for the FAA and other ANSPs throughout the world,” said Ed Sayadian, president, Harris Mission Networks. “Joining forces with PrecisionHawk will combine our expertise with PrecisionHawk’s innovation to bring solutions that bridge the gap between the National Airspace System and the low-altitude UAS airspace of the future.”
PrecisionHawk and Harris presented their strategic plan for airspace integration at the AUVSI Xponential conference in New Orleans. The white paper presentation laid out the steps to move the industry to more advanced drone operations sooner, such as beyond visual line of site flight.